Work gets under way to improve the safety and efficiency of the Túnel de la Rovira
Work will be carried out to renew the section of road, taking just over a year. The project entails resurfacing, treating structural pathologies, improving weatherproofing and drainage, with a significant part of the fixtures also to be renewed. In an initial stage lasting until February 2025, work will be carried out at night, with disruptions to descending traffic.
Northern entrance to the Túnel de la Rovira, Barcelona.
The work has a budget of over 17 million euros and will be carried out in five stages over 12 months. First the glass panels will be cleaned and removed, with an inspection of the pathologies of the tunnel to be made. The tunnel was built in 1987 and is 1,300 metres long. The work will entail the closure of the descending lane at night between 10.30 pm and 5.30 am, from Sundays to Thursdays. For the rest of the stages, the ascending and descending sides of the tunnel will be closed alternately, mainly during nighttime hours, to reduce the impact on mobility as much as possible.
Increased safety
An essential part of the work is geared towards improving safety in the tunnel. Three new evacuation galleries will be excavated, with intersecting connections to the two separate tunnels.
Safety and communication installations will also be renewed, with new tech solutions, and new fire detector elements added. At the same time, the system of hydrants and extinguishers will be increased and the technical rooms renewed.
Renewal of infrastructures
The work includes resurfacing the whole tunnel and replacing lighting with LED technology, plus new automated ventilation cycles adapting to various scenarios. The improvement work will also solve water filtration and renew the existing drainage system.
The work will update and adapt an infrastructure which dates back to 1987. It is the first project to be carried out as part of the transformation of the area around the Rambla del Carmel.
